Essex v Yorkshire: McGrath believes youth can help in title race

Yorkshire, chasing a first league title in nine years, are 21 points clear at the top of Division One going into today's game against Essex at Chelmsford.

After several seasons spent fighting relegation and having been written off by the bookmakers before a ball had been bowled this summer, the White Rose county leading the way represents a remarkable turnaround.

Even Anthony McGrath, the club's longest-serving player, admits to being pleasantly surprised by just how well the campaign has been going in the Championship.

But, ahead of today's visit to Chelmsford, the only member of the current squad with a title winners' medal is equally at pains to stress that occupying pole position is a deserved reward for Yorkshire's efforts.

He said: "We are exceeding my expectations this season. Normally, a Yorkshire team going into a new season has a lot of expectation surrounding it. That is how it has been for much of my time here.

"But this year, that wasn't the case. The names that had left (in the winter) and the squad being a young one meant there was none of the usual expectation. Instead, people were talking us down. I think that helped us at the start because there was no pressure and that allowed the younger lads to go out and play with more of a carefree attitude.

"Then, once the team had got a couple of wins, the confidence started to come through."

McGrath, 34, featured in more than half of the games as Yorkshire clinched the 2001 County Championship so is in a unique position among the current squad to assess this year's challenge.

He added: "In some ways, it is quite different to 2001. Back then, we had been knocking on the door for quite a few years.

"We also had a lot of established internationals and a lot of experience in the team, whereas now a lot of the lads are just starting out with England or England A.

"But what this team has in common with the 2001 one is lots of enthusiasm and players in form.

"There is also an argument that a lack of experience can actually help in pressure situations. Myself, Martyn (Moxon, director of professional cricket) and Craig (White, coach) have been through things like this before so know the ups and downs that can happen.

"The younger lads haven't but that is not always a bad thing. They can just think about the game and nothing else. They have been flying and seem to be really enjoying their cricket."

If Yorkshire are to win today, they will have to do so without England bowler Ajmal Shahzad, who is ruled out after suffering an ankle injury in training over the weekend.

With four fixtures getting underway in Division One today, the title race is entering an important period as the chasing pack look to rein in Yorkshire.

A 21-point lead will, of course, take some overhauling, though Nottinghamshire, Lancashire, Somerset and champions Durham can all take solace from having two games in hand on Andrew Gale's men.

McGrath said: "The key is looking after our own points total. Notts and a couple of others have games in hand but we can't think about that.

"We have points on the board, which can be vital as the season goes along with the weather possibly coming increasingly into it as we get towards September.

"I would rather have points on the board, that is all that matters."

McGrath has been in impressive form this term to banish memories of a frustrating 2009 as the pressures of being captain took their toll.

Since ending a 10-month wait for a half century in the third Championship game of the season against Kent, he has gone on to plunder six further 50s and two centuries.

Set to return today after sitting out the final three group games of the Twenty20 Cup with a thumb injury, the 34-year-old is eagerly looking forward to visiting a ground where Yorkshire triumphed by 10 wickets in the Clydesdale Bank 40 League.

He said: "I have had a really good season. After last year, I wanted to bounce back because I was disappointed with my form as captain.

"In all forms of cricket, I feel to have done well and once back from injury I am looking forward to finishing the season strongly.

"The thumb is a lot better.The first injection did not work, but the second one did and helped to bring the swelling down a bit so, fingers crossed, I should be available for Tuesday. No one wants to miss any games but it became clear I was going to have to take a break so we decided it should be last week.

"We are approaching a really important part of the season and are top of the league in two competitions so this is a big two months for us."